Fletcher presents "Maine and Emancipation" at Old Berwick Historical Society

Thursday

Sep 13, 2012 at 3:15 AM

SOUTH BERWICK — Maine's mixed reaction to the North vs. South conflict over slavery will be the subject of a talk at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27 at Berwick Academy's Jeppesen Science Center on Academy Street.

The talk by Brad Fletcher falls five days after the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, announcing the end of slavery in the rebellious South to take effect January 1, 1863.

According to Fletcher, an upper school history teacher at Berwick Academy, the Emancipation Proclamation was not overwhelmingly supported in the Northern states, even though it remains the single most important act performed by any American president. There was a decidedly mixed reaction in the North, including in the state of Maine, which was itself born of the sectional conflict over slavery only decades before. Hannibal Hamlin, Lincoln's vice-president, was from Paris, Maine.

Fletcher will examine Maine's attitude and record toward slavery, as well as the way its politicians, journalists, citizens and soldiers helped shape, and responded to, Lincoln's historic decree.

The upcoming program is part of the Old Berwick Historical Society's 2012 series of talks, walks and historical events. Admission is by donation. The series, supported by member donations including a grant from Kennebunk Savings, includes seven monthly evening presentations as well as other local history events around South Berwick.

More information on the Counting House Museum and all the Old Berwick Historical Society's programs is available at infooldberwick.org, or by calling (207) 384-0000.